TIOAWN Chapter 36

“Chief Ji.”

 

Moo-geon gestured with his fingers. Kang-heon approached respectfully and lowered his upper body.

 

“Who’s going to feed the kid?”

 

Kang-heon barely swallowed the urge to ask, What? The first words he heard right after the meeting ended were kid and feed.

 

Could it be Seo Ha-yoon? It’s Seo Ha-yoon again, isn’t it? Kang-heon took a calm breath and opened his mouth.

 

“I sent Ms. Yang.”

 

Even as he answered, he wondered if he should really be responding to this first instead of giving the pre-prepared business trip report. He carefully observed his boss’s reaction.

 

“Ms. Yang?”

 

Moo-geon’s eyebrow twitched, and his dark pupils bore down on Kang-heon.

 

“Rather than looking for a new doctor externally, I figured using Ms. Yang, whom we already have under our wing, would be the least troublesome option.”

 

Yang Joo-won. Chief director of L Plastic Surgery in Seocho District.

 

A clinic catering to high-ranking political and business figures, as well as their children. It operated on a private reservation system and refused to accept just anyone, no matter how much money they had.

 

More precisely, Yang Joo-won was the director of a plastic surgery clinic that provided illicit drug injections to satisfy the psychological cravings of the elite.

 

And the place where all those services were offered was a building owned by Cha Moo-geon.

 

Pretending to assist Song Woo-jin’s indulgence in various illegal substances, Moo-geon used Yang Joo-won whenever he needed leverage over him.

 

And now, that woman for Seo Ha-yoon?

 

It was like throwing a baby rabbit in front of a fox. Moo-geon raised one eyebrow slightly.

 

Yang Joo-won, the very embodiment of illegal activities, and Seo Ha-yoon.

 

A deep crease formed between his brows.

 

No—wasn’t she the daughter of Seo Myung-sik, who was worse than trash? Maybe she’d feel right at home.

 

Still, something about it felt off. Moo-geon ran his thumb along his lower lip as if twisting it.

 

Then suddenly, he laughed at himself.

 

Why was he even debating this? What was Seo Ha-yoon to him?

 

What did it matter how Yang Joo-won treated her or what she did to her?

 

“I made sure to give strict orders that she does nothing other than administer antibiotics, nutritional supplements, and ensure she eats properly.”

 

Kang-heon added that given the number of weaknesses they had on Ms. Yang—drug abuse, medical malpractice, potential lawsuits—there was no way she would dare do anything foolish.

 

“We’ll see.”

 

Moo-geon murmured lowly, rubbing his chin. Seo Ha-yoon was collateral. As long as she didn’t die, it would be fine.

 

A cynical smile spread across his face, chilling the air.

 

“Considering that she hasn’t attached herself to Vice President Song Woo-jin and has instead aligned with you, it’s clear she’s not completely oblivious. More than anything, she knows the value of her own life.”

 

It wasn’t like his boss to drag out a decision, yet he was giving no clear response. Kang-heon, sensing the hesitation, kept talking to fill the silence.

 

Moo-geon pressed his temples in annoyance.

 

In response, Kang-heon’s throat went dry, and he felt like his blood was slowly draining. Just as he started to feel lightheaded—

 

“Make sure of it.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Finally receiving a definite response, Kang-heon straightened his shoulders.

 

“Oh, and one more thing.”

 

As Moo-geon spoke, Kang-heon, who had just been handing over the business trip documents, awkwardly froze, neither fully extending nor withdrawing his arm.

 

“Tell them to arrange for housekeeping services. And make sure room service is sent up at the right times.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

His hand, pulling out his phone to relay the orders, moved sluggishly.

 

His boss’s tone was indifferent, as if it were just another routine task, yet Seo Ha-yoon kept coming to mind. Like a long shadow trailing behind Cha Moo-geon.

 

I’ll have to get used to it.

 

Kang-heon nodded to himself.

 

***

 

What else can I do now?

 

The snowfall had stopped, and the drawings she had traced on the window had vanished.

 

Blink. Blink. Like the second hand of a clock, Ha-yoon blinked absentmindedly.

 

What could she do in this house?

 

A sigh, almost like a breath of resignation, brushed against the window.

 

It was just as Ha-yoon was stepping out of Moo-geon’s room.

 

“Who… are you?”

 

An unfamiliar, heavy, and intense perfume scent tickled her nose, followed by the appearance of a tall, slender woman.

 

Thick, wavy hair. A wine-colored coat. Crescent-shaped, arched eyebrows. Large eyes and striking features.

 

She’s beautiful. That was Ha-yoon’s first thought as she looked at the unexpected guest.

 

“A woman…?”

 

Muttering something incomprehensible to herself, Ms. Yang let out a sigh. A pale face with no makeup. A round forehead. Clear, transparent eyes. An innocent-looking face, yet a stark contrast in attire.

 

She was undoubtedly wearing a man’s shirt. Ms. Yang frowned and rested her hands on her hips.

 

—Check the medical records and administer antibiotics and nutritional supplements at the scheduled times. Don’t forget to provide meals at the appropriate intervals. Aside from those two tasks, refrain from doing anything else as per the president’s explicit orders.

 

Ji Kang-heon’s instructions had been simple. Even when she was told to take care of someone’s meals despite being such a high-class professional, she let it slide. The part she found hardest to believe was being summoned to Cha Moo-geon’s house, a place almost impossible to step foot in.

 

But now, seeing that the person in question was just a young girl dressed in nothing but a man’s shirt—

 

“Aren’t you embarrassed to be dressed like that?”

 

Embarrassed, you ask? 

 

There was nothing torn, nothing short, and nothing see-through. It was just… odd.  

 

While Ha-yoon hesitated, Ms. Yang stepped closer.  

 

“What are you doing—”  

 

When Ms. Yang suddenly reached for the buttons, Ha-yoon was startled.  

 

But Ms. Yang didn’t care. Rather, she brushed off Ha-yoon’s hand, which was holding the collar, and undid two or three buttons that covered her chest.  

 

Then, she neatly folded back the long, drooping sleeves, fully exposing her slender wrists.  

 

“It suits you well.”  

 

Perfect.  

 

“……Th-thank you.”  

 

Was she… looking out for me?  

 

When Ha-yoon slightly bowed her head in gratitude, Ms. Yang scoffed. Is she messing with me?  

 

Does she really not understand what it means when someone says that an outfit suits her—when her chest is half-exposed and her skin is clearly visible?  

 

Is she shameless, or just an idiot?  

 

Ms. Yang glanced at Ha-yoon with an annoyed expression.  

 

Once, there was a woman who had spiked Moo-geon’s drink to get in his good graces and establish a connection with Yeohwa. She had boldly caressed Cha Moo-geon’s chest with one hand while massaging her own thigh.  

 

And what happened to her?  

 

Without even a smirk, CEO Cha had downed the entire drink—then shoved the glass into her mouth for all to see.  

 

Women lined up to offer themselves to Cha Moo-geon, yet no one could claim to have actually been with him.  

 

So even though I wanted him, I gave up.

 

Of course. A man like Cha Moo-geon, full of vitality, wouldn’t turn down every woman who came on to him. Could it be that he likes someone who looks young and innocent?  

 

Joo-won smirked crookedly. Making men like that fall was easy. Ms. Yang’s eyes burned with desire.  

 

This is my chance.

 

A chance to take possession of the man everyone wanted. Getting rid of a little girl was no difficult task.  

 

Ms. Yang smiled confidently. If she played rough just a little, the girl would likely cry and run away.  

 

“Take it off. Now.”  

 

“…What?”  

 

Just moments ago, she had carefully rolled up Ha-yoon’s sleeves. And now, all of a sudden?  

 

Thinking she must have misheard, Ha-yoon blinked in confusion and asked again.  

 

“I said, take off that disgusting outfit.”  

 

But you just said it suited me… Ha-yoon’s eyes wavered in confusion.  

 

In the next instant, Ms. Yang yanked hard at Ha-yoon’s open shirt collar, as if she really intended to strip her.  

 

— Keep it buttoned. Don’t open it just anywhere.  

 

As if he had foreseen this situation, Cha Moo-geon’s words suddenly echoed in her ears.  

 

“N-no.”  

 

Ha-yoon slapped away Ms. Yang’s hand and defensively clutched at her clothes. At the audacious defiance, Ms. Yang twisted her red lips in irritation. She had expected the girl to be obedient, given her face. How annoying.  

 

“You need an antibiotic shot. Are you just going to stand there all day?”  

 

Watching Ha-yoon back away, Ms. Yang crossed her arms. She planned to administer the shot first and then observe the girl for a while. Not that she cared enough to hide her annoyance.  

 

“…Huh?”  

 

“Sit anywhere. I need to stick the needle in.”  

 

Her voice was as sharp as the needle she had pulled out. Ha-yoon, flustered, looked around hesitantly. 

 

Her hand, reaching behind her, found the doorknob—and without realizing it, she stepped into Cha Moo-geon’s room. It was only after she sat down on the bed that she realized whose bed it was.  

 

Ms. Yang’s smirk deepened.  

 

“…Ah.”  

 

Clench your fist. Tighten up. Without another word, the needle pricked the inside of her elbow.  

 

“Hold still.”  

 

“…Okay.”  

 

Ha-yoon bit her lip and swallowed the pain.  

 

Who is this woman? A nurse? A doctor? No one had mentioned anyone coming. Then again, it wasn’t like he had any reason to report such things to her.  

 

“Are you… a nurse?”  

 

Her blouse and skirt accentuated her figure. Her voluminous hair. Her professional gaze.  

 

Ha-yoon had hesitated even to step into this house, but this woman moved freely without a care. While Ha-yoon lingered, unsure of what to do, this woman handled everything as if it were second nature.  

 

Ha-yoon found that somewhat enviable.  

 

“A nurse?”  

 

Which part of that question offended her?  

 

For a moment, the woman’s delicate brow furrowed sharply.